ukase

[ yoo-keys, -keyz, yoo-keys, -keyz ]

/ yuˈkeɪs, -ˈkeɪz, ˈyu keɪs, -keɪz /

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noun

(in czarist Russia) an edict or order of the czar having the force of law.

any order or proclamation by an absolute or arbitrary authority.

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Nearby words

Origin of ukase

1720–30; < French < Russian ukáz, Old Russian ukazŭ, noun derivative of ukazati to show, indicate, assign, command, equivalent to u- prefix + kazati to show, order

SYNONYMS FOR ukase

2. edict, directive, ruling, decree, fiat.

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR ukase ON THESAURUS.COM

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for ukase

On one occasion the Empress ordered him to draw up a ukase, which, however, a great pressure of business caused him to forget.
The Memoirs of Madame Vige Lebrun|Marie Louise Elisabeth Vige-Lebrun
He did not intend to wait for the period of emancipation fixed by the ukase.
The Catholic World; Vol. IV.; October, 1866, to March, 1867.|E. Rameur
The Ukase of December 12th, 1905, was an answer of the government to the persistent political demands of the "Spring" time.
Our Revolution|Leon Trotzky
And he prepared the ukase condemning his son to banishment in Uralsk, then kissed the Czar's hand.
The Green Book|Mr Jkai

The protest was heeded by the Czar and the ukase was rescinded.
The American Jew as Patriot, Soldier and Citizen|Simon Wolf

British Dictionary definitions for ukase

ukase

/ (juːˈkeɪz) /

noun

(in imperial Russia) an edict of the tsar

a rare word for edict

Word Origin for ukase

C18: from Russian ukaz, from ukazat to command

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for ukase

ukase

1729, "decree issued by a Russian emperor," from Russian ukaz "edict," from ukazat' "to show, decree," from Old Church Slavonic ukazati, from u-, intensive prefix, + kazati "to show, order," which is related to the first element of Casimir.